Thread control for loom thread cutters



my 1950 5., N R 2,509,378

THREAD CONTROL FOR LOOM THREAD CUTTERS Filed NOV. 21, 1947 1 INVENTOR F 2a mam/w a. TUFF/VER ATTORNE Patented May 30, 1950 THREAD CONTROL FOR LOOM THREAD CUTTERS Richard G. Turner, Worcester, Mass, assignor to Orompton & Knowles Loom Works, Worcester, Mass, a corporation of Massachusetts Application November 21, 1947, Serial No. 787,356

11 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in weft replenishing looms and it is the general object of the invention to provide improved means for holding and cutting the thread of a bobbin which has been transferred into a shuttle incident to a weft replenishing operation.

After a shuttle has been replenished and picked it leaves a thread extending from the thread holder to the adjacent selvage. It is necessary to remove this thread from the loom to prevent it from being drawn into the warp shed, but such removal is not ordinarily possible until the thread has been cut from the cloth at the selvage. Many weft replenishing looms have a shuttle position feeler located between the thread holder and the selvage provided with a hook over which the thread is cast on the first lay beat-up after replenishment.

When the thread is cut at the selvage its cut end may hang downwardly from the shuttle feeler so that it cannot be removed immediately by the thread holder. Under these conditions it is desirable to cut the thread into two parts by a cutter on the shuttle feeler to enable one part to be removed by the thread holder and allow the other part to be removed by means located under the shuttle feeler. The shuttle feeler carried cutter operates only on replenishing beats of the loom, and usually cuts a number of picks of the loom after the thread has been cut at the selvage. Mechanism for the general accomplishment of this purpose is set forth in my co-pending application Serial No. 667,411 filed May 4, 1946, now Patent No. 2,457,952.

The shuttle feeler carries cutting and clamping devices for the thread of the outgoing bobbin in addition to the cutter already mentioned, and is normally in a forward position but moves rearwardly preparatory to a weft replenishing operation, and is then returned to normal forward position when replenishment is completed. Between the time of cutting at the selvage and cutting by the shuttle feeler carried cutter the end of the thread released from the selvage may become entangled with the clamping devices, particularly the flat clamp plate on the side of the shuttle feeler adjacent to the cloth and opposite to the aforesaid hook. It is an important object of my invention to provide the clamp plate with a hook which will hold the thread away from the clamping surface of the plate.

I have found that the hook ordinarily used on the shuttle feeler does not always hold the thread in correct position for severing by its cutter on the shuttle feeler, and it is another object of the present invention to provide the aforesaid clamping plate with an additional hook which cooperates with the usual hook to hold the thread in correct position for severance by a cutter which is located between them. The additional or auxiliary hook is preferably between the selvage and the cutter blades on the shuttle feeler.

It is a still further object of the invention to provide an improved form of thread clamp having a thread holding hook thereon so constructed that it may be readily substituted for thread clamps now in use.

With these and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, my invention resides in the combination and arrange ment of parts hereinafter described and set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein a convenient embodiment of my invention is set forth,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a weft replenishing mechanism having thread cutting and clamping means provided with my present invention, part of the lay being shown in section,

Fig. 2 is a rear elevation on an enlarged scale looking in the direction of arrow '2, Fig. 1, part of the supporting bracket for the pneumatic thread remover tube being in section,

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the thread cutter and clamp mechanism looking in the direction of arrow 3, Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the thread clamp and associated parts, and

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic view showing the relation which the invention bears to the cloth, the thread holder, and the thread positioner on the lay. A

Referring particularly to Fig. 1, the loom frame it) supports a reserve bobbin magazine M on which is mounted thread cutting and clamping mechanism designated generally at N. This mechanism hangs from a fixed pivot I 2 and is normally in the forward position shown in Fig. 1. When a replenishing operation occurs a rod I3 is raised to rock themechanism I I in a clock wise direction or rearwardly, and upon comple tion of the replenishing operation the mechanism H is restored to its normal forward position by engagement with the lay IS.

A shuttle box It receives the shuttle S which upon exhaustion of its weft supply will be replenished by the bobbin B in the magazine. This bobbin will be provided with a weft thread W the outer end of which extends into a thread holder H which is preferably of the pneumatic type heretofore proposed by me. After the first pick of the shuttle subsequent to its replenish- 3 ment thread W will extend from the holder H to the selvage I! of the fabric F being woven. On the ensuing forward beat of the lay a thread positioner l8 thereon will cast the weft thread over a hook IS on the mechanism H.

The mechanism I I includes in its construction a supporting head 20 with which the hook I9.

is generally formed integral. A cutter blade 22 is mounted stationarily on the head 20 for cooperation with a cutter blade 23 movable about a pivot pin 24 supported by the head 20. A rod 25 extends upwardly from a forwardly extending arm 26 of the cutter blade 23 and is held at its upper end as at 21. A flat plate or clamp 28 is urged toward blades 22 and 23 by a leaf spring 29 secured to the mechanism ll.

When the mechanism l l moves rearwardly the rod 25, having its upper end spaced from the pivot I 2, causes the cutter blade 23 to move toward the blade 22 to cut any thread extending across: the latter. Upon forward resetting movement of the mechanism ll rod 25 returns the parts to; the-position shown, in; Fig. 1

'Mounted on{ the lay is. pneumatic thread remover designatedrgenerally at 30 and comprising atube-3 I connected torasource ot'subatmospheric pressures andv a bracket 32.- for the tube secured to and extending forward-1y from the front edge of the-lay. This-bracket, has a V-shaped thread guide mouthv 33,- leading to the interior of the tube 3| to assist athread: depending from the cutting and clamping mechanism M; to enter the tube. The pneumatic remover 3U swing-5 back and forth with the-layancl-is one form of pneumatic remover which can be used with the present invention. I do not wishtobe limited to this particular type of thread remover, sinceany form of thread remover capable of attracting or removinga thread dependingfromthe mechanism U will besufiicient for certain purposes of the invention.

The matter thus far described, may be made as; heretofore or according to, the aforesaid copending application.

- In carrying my present invention into. eifect I provide means for positioning the weft thread W with respectto' the; cutting and clamping mechanism l l, more particularly the blade .23

and clamping plate 28. The latter faces the fabric F and-its forwardendis positioned by the pivot 24 while its rear end isslidable on a small pin- 35 secured to the head 2!]. Mechanism II includes a lower cutting blade 36 made integral with the blade 23 but forming no part of the present invention insomuch as it operates on the thread-of the outgoing, bobbin at the time of weft replenishment.

An importantfeature of thepresent invention is the provision of clamp plate- 28 with an additional' or auxiliary upwardly and forwardly facing hook 40 which may align with the hook IS in a direction perpendicular to the plane of movement of blade 23. As seen more particularly in Fig. 4, thehook Mlis on that side of the cutting andclampingmechanism l,l opposite to. the hook l9, and thecutting blades 22 and 23. and the thread clamping surface M. of plate 28 are between. the: two hooks. That partof the thread W extending between the two. hooks is therefore held in. proper position for cutting by theblade 23, and. there is no. opportunity for the thread to fall into the space between the head 2!] and the plate 2.8. where it might become. entangled with the cutting and clampin parts of the mechanism l 1.. It; will be. noted particularly from Fig.

4 2 that the blade 23 is between the hooks l9 and 4B, and Fig. 5 indicates that the hook 4B is between the blade 23 and the cloth F.

In the operation of the invention, assuming that shuttle S has been replenished and that the lay is at its next ensuing beat-up or front center position, the thread positioner 18 will cast the thread W over both of the hooks l9 and 4! The thread will extend from the holder H to the selvage l1 and remain in this position until it is cut at the selvage by the temple cutter T. At this time the thread W may be drawn immediately into the pneumatic thread holder H, but if this does'not happen the left end of the thread, Fig. 5, will hang from the hook 4i! along the right hand surface 42 of the clamp plate 28 as viewed in Fig. 2. When in this position the lower free end of the thread will eventually be drawn into the mouth 33 and tube 3!. Both ends of the thread will then be subjected to pneumatic tension and that part of: the thread. extendingfrom the hook'llil to the thread holder will be kept taut under the blade 23.

When the next replenishing operation occurs rearward movement of the mechanism ll. will effect cutting of the thread W loythe blade 23, whereupon the short end of the filling thus released between the mechanism l l and the mouth 33 will be drawn into the tube 3! and removed from the loom. At this. time the lengthv of the thread W will be appreciably shortened and. the

thread holder 1-1 will. be able to remove th re-. mainder ofit, or that part thereof extending. to the rightof the mechanism l l asv viewed in Fig.5.

From the foregoing it will be seen. that I have provided an improved thread control for a com,- bined thread: cutting and clamping mechanism wherein two hooks l9 and 42 hold the. thread in proper position for cutting by the blade 23; and also prevent the thread fromrnoving to a position where-it migh-tbecome entangled withthoseparts of the cutting and clamping mechanism It between the head-2ll and. the clamp 28.- It will also be seen that the hook 4.0, which is. auxiliary to the primary or usual book [9, is between the blade 23 and. the cloth F andis. so. located, with respectto the blade 23 that the shortcut end of the thread can be drawn immediately into the tube 3! The p1ate28 is not intended to perform a clamping operation on the weft thread W, but if the hook All. were not present the short or left end of thread, W as. viewed in Fig. 5. could move down into theinterior parts of the mechanism H where it would-V be held against surface 41' of the clamp 28 and not be free tobe drawn pneumatically into tube 3!- when cutby theblade 23..

Having thus described my invention it. willbe seen that changes and modifications may be made therein by thoseskilledin the art without departing from the spirit and scopeof the in! vention and I do. not wish to be limited 'to-the details. herein disclosed. but what. I claimis;

1. In a control for a thread extending from a thread holder to theselvage adjacent thereto, in a weft replenishing loom. having a positioner for V the thread, mechanism between the holderand selvage including a. primarythread hook on the side of the mechanism, adjacent to the holder and a clamp plate spaced. fromsaid hook onthe side ,of said mechanism adjacent to the selvage a said hooks. and saidcutter effective thereafter to cut the thread between said hooks.

2. In a control for a thread extending from a thread holder to the selvage adjacent thereto in a weft replenishing loom having a positioner for the thread, mechanism between the holder and selvage supporting a thread clamping plate on the side of the mechanism adjacent to the selvage and having a primary thread hook spaced from the plate and on the side of the mechanism adjacent to said holder, said clamping plate having a thread clamping surface facing said primary hook, a secondary thread hook on said clamping plate between said thread clamping surface and the selvage, and a thread cutter between said primary hook and said thread clamping surface, said positioner casting the thread over said hooks and said cutter effective thereafter to cut the thread between said hooks.

3. In a control for a thread extending from a thread holder to the selvage adjacent thereto in a weft replenishing loom having a positioner for the thread, mechanism between the holder and salvage supporting a thread clamping plate on the side of the mechanism adjacent to the selvage, a thread hook on said clamping plate over which the thread is cast by said positioner, and a thread cutter on said mechanism between said hook and said holder effective on a weft replenishing beat of the loom subsequent to casting of the thread over said hook to out said thread on that side of the clamping plate opposite to the selvage.

4. In a control for a thread extending from a thread holder to the selvage adjacent thereto in a weft replenishing loom having a positioner for the thread and a selvage thread cutter, mechanism between the holder and selvage including a clamping plate on the side of the mechanism adjacent to the selvage and having a thread clamping surface on the side thereof opposite to the selvage, a hook on said clamping plate between said clamping surface and selvage over which the thread is cast by said positioner, the thread when out by the selvage cutter extending from the holder to said clamping plate and hanging from said hook on the side of said plate opposite to said clamping surface, and a cutter for the thread on said mechanism on that side of said clamping plate adjacent to said clamping surface.

5. A thread clamping member for a loom mechanism having a pivot and a guide pin and a thread cutter, said member comprising a flat plate having provision to receive said pivot and a perforation to receive said pin and having a thread hook thereon which points in a direction generally away from said perforation and upwardly from said plate when the latter is supported on said pivot and pin to hold a thread in position for cutting by the thread cutter.

6. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head, a thread clamp member supported by but spaced from the head, thread cutter mechanism between the head and clamp member, and a.

thread hook projecting upwardly from the clamp member to hold a thread in position for cutting by said thread cutting mechanism.

7. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head, a thread clamp member supported by but spaced from the head, a cutter blade pivoted on the head and movable relatively to the latter between the head and clamp member, and a thread hook projecting upwardly from the clamp member to hold a thread in position for cutting by said cutter blade.

8. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head, a thread clamp member supported by but spaced from the head, thread cutter mechanism comprising two blades between the head and clamp member, one blade fixed to the head and the other pivoted thereon, and a thread hook projecting upwardly from the clamping member to hold a thread in position for cutting by said thread cutting mechanism.

9. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head, a thread clamp member supported by but spaced from the head, thread cutter mechanism comprising two blades between the head and clamp member, one blade fixed to the head and the other pivoted thereon and having a downward motion to cut a thread, and a thread hook projecting upwardly from the clamp member effective to hold a thread in position for cutting by said thread cutter mechanism.

10. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head and a thread hook projecting upwardly therefrom, a thread clamping member supported by and spaced from the head, an upwardly projecting hook on the clamping member, and cutter means on the head including a blade pivoted on the head between said hooks, the latter effective to hold a thread in position for cutting by said cutter means.

11. A thread cutting and clamping unit for a weft replenishing loom, said unit comprising a head and a thread hook projecting upwardly therefrom, a thread clamping member supported by and spaced from the head, an upwardly projecting hook on the clamping member, and cutter means on the head between said hooks and including a blade stationary on the head and a, second blade pivoted on the head and moving downwardly to out a thread extending between and positioned by said hooks.

RICHARD G. TURNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,446,444 Turner Aug. 3, 1948 

